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Allies need a rapid victory to outwit Gadaffi

David Cameron has done a good job of advocating international action over Libya. Now he must hope his diplomatic victory is followed by a military one

The Sunday Times

March 20 2011, 12:01am, The Sunday Times

British aircraft will be in action over Libya in the coming days (Marcello Paternostro)

For a brief period after the United Nations resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, it looked as though David Cameron’s triumph was complete. Not only had he shown formidable diplomatic skills in pushing the resolution through, but the Libyan regime’s immediate declaration of a ceasefire appeared to suggest he was on course for a bloodless victory.

But dealing with Libya’s Muammar Gadaffi is never straightforward. Western politicians have come and gone but he has held on to power for nearly 42 years through a combination of utter ruthlessness and ratlike cunning. Forewarned by Italy of the 1986 US airstrikes against his compound in Tripoli, he survived. And despite being responsible for such atrocities as Lockerbie, he remained in power and was later embraced…